Box For Santa - Do You Store Garbage/Recycling in Your Attic?

Better than paper towels!!

Do you hold on to the boxes that your Christmas decor arrives in? I do not.

I remove Santa and recycle the packaging. When I store Santa after the holidays I wrap him in bubble wrap, use peanuts, or under pads to store in a green and red bin. Preferably a clear bin with a red and or green lid. No newspaper, paper towels, or grocery shopping sacks needed!

If you adopt this practice, you will be amazed at the amount of recycling/garbage you can reduce and increase storage in your attic each year.  ~Amy

How do you store your Christmas wreath?

Is that a wreath in the attic?

If you have an attic, most likely you are storing some sort of Christmas decor. Artificial wreaths should always be stored in something to prevent mice from chewing on those cute sprigs of berries. Are your items too big for a tote?

Are you using black trash bags? Re-purpose those black bags for trash collection or for a collection of items for Goodwill this year. Go and purchase clear bags for storage instead.

One of the primary steps of organization is to know what you have. Clear, clear, clear! This is allows you to see what you have especially if you have a dark attic. ~ Amy

To keep or not to keep - Heirlooms?

Over and over again, I meet people that tell me they are saving boxes of items for their children. My first question is "Are you saving it for them, or for YOU?" Get your children involved in this process!

My daughter is 11 and ready to shelf her American girl doll. I asked her when will be the next time she will use it. She's not sure. When she has children? Specifically a girl? I'm thinking that better be at least 15 years away!!!

The idea of passing on heirloom items is overly fantasized. In general, we all have too much stuff that we hold onto that will never be considered an heirloom.

My best advice is to enjoy what you have today and give it away rather than storing it for 20 years in hopes of using it in the future. Give it to a friend or post it on FB. Give it to Goodwill and give someone a job.

What did we do with my daughter's American Girl doll? We postponed that decision one more year. We gave away accessories pictured below to a friend and passed on a smile TODAY!

Amy

American Girl accessories 

You can recycle those tangled lights!

Home Depot announced a recycling program for Christmas lights.

http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2011/11/03/the-home-depot-announces-fourth-annual-eco-options-christmas-light-trade-in-event/

 According to the article, "Beginning November 3rd through 13th, customers can bring in their old working or non-working Christmas light strings to be recycled and receive a coupon for up to $5.00 off the purchase of energy efficient seasonal light-emitting diodes (LED) string lights."

What's in your freezer?

How long has that been in your freezer?

Take a moment to prowl through your freezer with a pad and pen on the counter next to you.  

Start at the top and go to the bottom or left to right. Write down everything in there except what you throw out in this process.  

Tape your freezer list next to your grocery list on the refrigerator.  The next grocery trip will be time to shop and plan meals around what you HAVE and what needs to be used in the freezer.  If you buy something that goes into the freezer be sure and add it to your list.  

Keep in mind, most anything bought from the freezer section is intended to be used within 3 months or less depending on the product.  Anything you freeze yourself, should follow this guideline as well.  Check the expiration dates on packages as you're cleaning out the freezer.  Although bacteria may not kill you, the freezer burn may taste like the box it is in or worse.

~ Gretchen

Tired of Making the Grocery List?

Type up a list to save time

I gave up on the notion a while back that I would have time to sit down and plan all the meals, collect and cut coupons and make an accurate list before heading to the grocery store.  

Instead I keep copies of an excel spreadsheet on the side of my refrigerator that lists most of the groceries I buy, by category and the layout in the store where I usually shop.  It takes into consideration the meals I most often prepare and has a little extra space at the bottom of each category in case I need to write something extra.  

I use a highlighter to mark what I need.  It's fast and I won't miss that bold color at the store like I might with a check mark made with a pencil. 

I update my list document if I seem to be writing in the same thing fairly often.  Although it takes a little time to collect your thoughts in the beginning to make the initial document, it is well worth it in time savings in the future.  

If you need a little help getting started there are quite a few grocery lists on the web that you might be able to try before creating your own.  Some major chain grocery stores provide them on their websites. 

~ Gretchen

Is that a keepsake? Part 2: Do you like it?

What items do you treasure? A child's treasured keepsake may be a game-winning baseball. Adults have a variety of collections that they treasure.

Antique Camera. Do you like it?

What happens when someone gives you a collection or an item that you do not treasure? Do you like it? You have some choices:

1. Store it. Do nothing and store it in the garage, attic, or closet.  
2. Honor it in your home by display. Think of incorporating items into your home decor. There are many options for framing items. 
3. Honor it in your home by use. Choose a portion of the collection if you are not fond of the whole. If your grandma gave you an entire set of dishes you love, use them! Or, pick out the serving pieces and use them!
4. Give it away. Give to Goodwill and you give someone a job. Give to a family member that you know would enjoy it for no reason, Christmas or a birthday. 
5. Sell it - eBay, Craigslist, yard sales, antique dealers, etc.  

Is that a keepsake? Part 1: How old is your child?

What is a keepsake? By definition it is something kept or given to be kept as a memento.

In the homes of our clients, Gretchen and I find boxes of keepsakes. Our clients say, "I'm keeping this for my daughter or son." Our next question is, "How old is your daughter or son?"

Wondering what we would advise you to do? Answer these 3 questions:

1. How long will the child continue to live in my house?

2. At what age will I expect to give the keepsakes to the child?

3. Who is making the decision about the keepsakes?

First of all, you must consider space. If you are collecting items at a rate of 1 box per year, you could have 18 boxes of keepsakes before the child departs for college. We suggest that you limit the space for items to the child's room.

Second, consider a realistic time for passing keepsakes along. Most children will be in their mid to late 20s before they settle in a place and are able receive, use, store or honor keepsakes. 

Lastly, who decides what goes into the box? If you are making the decisions, then most likely they are your keepsakes. Your keepsakes should be honored or stored in your space. Involve your children in the decision-making process of what to keep. If children do prize the items stored, they will not have a connection and may not want them after all. 

~Amy 

Oh no! That tabletop is scratched!

Recycle Furniture. 

Try this with a table your grandmother gave you or you find at a consignment shop.

My mother gave me a nice mahogany table, but it needs to be refinished.  I decided to cover the table with oil cloth.  I cut it slightly larger than the table and stretched it under the edge.  This is a two man job.  I attached the oil cloth using a staple gun.  

When the time is right to refinish the table I can simply remove the staples by prying them loose with a flat head screw driver.  For now this wipe clean oil cloth surface is perfect for meal time, craft projects, and homework. 

~ Gretchen

Gifts of Experience

Have trouble purchasing gifts for someone that has everything? No more space in your home to collect another thing? Try gifts of experience.

Give or ask for certificates for lessons to learn pottery, dance, flying, cooking, or an instrument. Give tickets to the theater, a dinner cruise, wine tasting, concerts or train rides. Ask for or a membership to a bulk store, zoo or a museum. Don't forget spa certificates and other traditional gift certificates.

Xperience Days has many more unique ideas. Your creativity and price tags are the only limits!

~ Amy

Looking for space in your cabinet? Try nesting glasses.

How do your dishes stack up?

Cabinet space is at a premium at my house. Instead of taking on a major remodel or trying to rearrange what I have over and over again, I choose to shop smart.

Knowing that I have limited space, I only purchase glasses that stack or nest. This shopping rule applies to bowls and other items too. If I have a need in my kitchen - utensil, pots, pans, dishes, I do not purchase on an impulse. I make note of the space it needs to occupy and incorporate this in my decision making.

~Amy

Don't Sleep On It

Who's shoes are these?

Play the "pick up" game.  

Picking up before bed should not be an opportunity for procrastination. 

Before you get ready for bed take a look around, put dirty dishes in the dishwasher, straighten up the sofa pillows, put away shoes and items from daily living left on the floor.  

Get the family to do their part.  In the morning, children (and their parents) will be happier and spend less time looking to find their items for school or the work day.  Early in the day will seem much brighter with a cleaner house!

~ Gretchen

What's Coming in Your Door?

If that is coming in, what's going out?

When you bring something in, take something out -  monitor your drawer, in your closets, in your files, your mail, your bookshelf, your child's schoolwork...the list is endless.


If you buy three new pairs of socks, get rid of three or even four old pairs.  Once you develop this habit, you will be amazed at how it cuts the clutter in your life, and not just paper, toys, and clothing.  Use this strategy to break bad habits, improve your nutrition, and even develop healthier relationships.


~ Gretchen

How Tos for your To Dos

What's on your list?

Keep your "to do" list ON your calendar, not "in" your calendar but "on" each individual day.  As you go through daily tasks and appointments you stay on task and on deadline by designating a scheduled amount of time to complete each task.  This habit forces you to evaluate how long a task actually takes and whether you need to delegate or edit your "to do" list.  For instance, you may discover that your time is worth too much to drop off and pick up the cleaning and that is well worth the gratuity to have it delivered.

How about a book swap?

Notebook 

Recently, I hosted my book club.  We often trade books when we meet once a month.  This time was no exception.  I offered my entire library, from which club members could borrow.  I asked them to write their name and the title of the book in a notebook which I will keep in the book shelves in case I need to remember who has what.  My library is becoming more and more digitized as there is both a Kindle and an iPad in my family, but I still love the feel of books.  I cannot really justify keeping so many if I don't share. 

If I get another Lands End catalog, I'll just...

Give your mailbox a makeover and reclaim space on your kitchen counter!

Check out dmachoice.org.

Register for a free account and receive access to contact information for magazines, catalogs and direct mailing services at your fingertips.

Mail order shopping is a greener option than filling up your car with a tank of gas and driving long distances to the mall to window shop. This website gives many options and it is nice to see that you can register deceased or very ill members in your care to be removed from direct mailing lists. This can be a difficult task to complete.

Holidays are right around the corner and our mailboxes begin to bulge, stop that junk mail from junking up your counter!

Are you sure that was a cat eating your pet food?

Pet food left in unattended bowls outside or improperly stored in opened bags in the garage will attract other unwanted animals. Possum, raccoon, mice, who knows what else?
Keep all pet food it in a storage bin with a tight fitting lid. One on casters is nice so that the storage area can be easily swept if a spill occurs.

Shoes don't last forever so don't keep them forever.

When you get a new pair of fitness shoes put the date in an inconspicuous location where it won't wear off.  If you are an avid runner you must replace your shoes frequently (as often as every 3 to 6 months).  Putting the purchase date on each pair will help you keep track of which pairs need to go.

Save paper towels!

sometimes smaller is better 

Save money and paper towels by buying what Bounty calls "Select-A-Size."  All the major brands and some store brands have the option of paper towels perforated at what is typically half the size of a regular paper towel.  Look for this option in your favorite brand.  The half size will do the job in almost every case for which you would use a regular paper towel.  We dare you to try it!  You'll save paper towels, trees, and money.

Is that a bucket under your sink?

Collect towels in this bucket.

Using dish towels and smaller dish cloths saves greatly on paper towel use.  I find that  white wash cloths or bar mops, available in multi packs at Walmart or Marshall's work well as a substitute.  I especially like microfiber towels for cleaning.  After using them sufficiently, I toss them into a bucket under the sink filled with water in which I have dissolved a scoop of Oxi Clean.  I dump the contents of the bucket in the washing machine and wash with a warm water load every other day or so. 

My cousin decided to give up paper towels all together after she stopped buying them during a time when she was out of work.  She said that once she developed the habit of using dish cloths, she never needed to go back to paper towels.  I don't know if I can ever totally give up paper towels, but it's a good goal.  Think of the money and trees we could save if we all just gave it a try.

Party All The Time!

party plates & napkins

What do you do with those left over cute party plates and napkins? Resist the urge to save them! Instead, once the party is over continue to use them until they are gone. Put extra napkins in the car for spills or send them in a packed lunch.

Target and other retailers consistently offer cute new designs every few months. You will be drawn to the new designs and typically forget that you have saved extras at home. Purchasing exactly what you need and to using all of your supply will give you freedom to shop for the next party without creating clutter in your kitchen cabinets.

Where are your digital photos?

What's in your safe deposit box?

Hopefully not on your camera or phone. Either could be lost or stolen.  Images or video use valuable space on your laptop and could be lost forever if your computer crashes.  
Transfer photos to an external hard drive where photos can easily be accessed when needed.  To insure your photos are truly secure, keep an extra hard drive
that you back up after loading holiday, vacation, or birthday pictures in
your safe deposit box.  Put a sticky note on the hard drive with the last
back up date or additional information you might need to remind you what
it's contents are.  This small extra effort and expense could save a lot of
heart ache if your pictures were some how lost.

Roomba - Does that thing really work?

What if I told you that you could afford to own a robot and that it could make your life easier even while you are asleep.  I wouldn't have believed it myself until a month ago, when I purchased my first Roomba.  It vacuums carpet, wood, or vinyl and returns to it's base to recharge when the job is done.  With almost no set up and very little maintenance, it seems too good to be true.  My whole family is sold on it except our dog.  His hair is one of the reasons we need it most!

I suggest mopping your wood floor thoroughly and then using Roomba to maintain that fresh swept feeling, although Roomba picks up way more than any broom or stick vacuum I've used.  I run Roomba every other night when we all head upstairs to get ready for bed.  The next morning the floor is ready to mop, if you're ready to mop.  I have found that I can mop less frequently because the floor is staying cleaner.

The Roomba performs on carpet as well,  getting up way more hair than I thought collectively that we and the dog have.  I love that it vacuums under the sofa and bed!  Be sure to routinely clean out the brushes when using the Roomba on carpet.  Brush removal is literally a snap and the Roomba will tell you if it needs, cleaning, charging or is stuck.  I empty the dust bin drawer after the Roomba vacuums one room.

I can't say enough good things about it and I only bought the less expensive model.  I would be willing to pay way more if my  Roomba could be trained to climb stairs and vacuum those.

iRobot 530 Roomba Vacuuming Robot, White

Easily Made Bed

Use a duvet!

The best way to keep your bed made is to have an easily made bed.  Try a European style duvet or comforter cover.  In combination with a fitted sheet, all you need is a down or down alternative comforter and a cover that coordinates with the fitted sheet. No top sheet or blankets are needed.  You can even use an older patterned comforter that you are tired of because the cover hides it. In the morning it takes one tug on each side of the bed to get it made. Throw on the pillows and your done. 

Great for kids too!

This is a particularly good idea for young children.  Any chores they can do themselves, helps you, and positively impacts their self esteem.

Finding sheet sets that have coordinating duvet or comforter covers can be tricky.  Go online for best results.  LL Bean, The Company Store and Pottery Barn Kids are good resources.

Making your bed will take two minutes in the morning but can make you feel better all day. Getting an easy task done, starts your day with a feeling of accomplishment, and can set the tone for the rest of your day. 

Earth Day Celebration this Saturday!

Space Claimers LOVE to Recycle! Check out the Earth Day celebration on the square this Saturday 4/16 from 10-2.

Click here for more details: City of Murfreesboro Earth Day Celebration

Razors Laying on the Garage Floor?

Tripping over Razors? Not the kind you shave with! 

Those pesky scooters that are impossible to store. Reclaim space in your garage! Purchase a U-shaped, rubber coated hook and hang them low so children can easily access.

Recycling Options You May Have Never Considered

I can't recycle these at my curb. Now what?

Wondering where to recycle items not meant for curbside recycling? Try where you bought them. 

Compact florescent bulbs can be recycled at Lowes or Home Depot. Do not put them in with trash or glass recycling as they contain mercury. 

Batteries can be recycled at Batteries Plus. Store spent batteries in a glass jar in case of corrosion leakage. 

Cell phones can be recycled at Verizon stores. They will not accept the charger or car charger or case, just the phone including the battery. Ink cartridges can be exchanged at Office Depot, Office Max, or Staples often for a discount or a pack of copy paper. Your local Lions Club will accept your old prescription glasses and in some cases your optician will see that the Lions Club gets them, just ask. Your dry cleaner will take back wire hangers.

Kroger and Publix recycle plastic shopping bags, though you should bring your own bags whenever possible to the grocery store. Both Publix and Kroger also have bins to donate to local food banks. Whether you have something to bring from home or you find a good deal while grocery shopping and want to share, you can do it conveniently at your local store. Whole Foods even provides recycling for wine corks.

Electronics such as computers, televisions, and DVD players can be recycled at Best Buy. Apple stores accept old ipods and other Apple products. If you are buying a new computer, check to see if you can have your files transferred in the store where you buy. Sometimes there is a fee and sometimes it can be negotiated as part of your package. 

Electronic waste is becoming a huge problem because as the componets and batteries break down, toxins leak into soil and eventually, ground water. Before desposing of any appliance or electronic item, check with your local refuse collection service or do a little research on the internet to find out proper disposal for the item. You may want to donate it as long as it is not broken.

Steel Doors Can Do More than Keep Out the Cold

Leave a note!

Steel doors are typically the norm between indoor space and your garage or outdoors. You can use an inconspicuous magnet to hold shopping lists or important papers for work or school that need to go out the door the next morning. 


Resist the urge to use the door to your garage as a bulletin board. The space will be cluttered and anything important will be lost in that clutter. If the door leads to the garage you can use this same strategy to leave a message on the other side of the door for anyone returning home.

Clip a Reminder!

Tripping over Bicycles Laying on the Floor of Your Garage?

Hang from 1 rubber coated hook

Taller and bigger biceps?
Hang from two hooks!

Reclaim floor space in your garage! If you have adult bicycles and you are in shape, you should be able to lift and hang from the ceiling by one or 2 hooks. 

Most children should have access to their own bikes so they should be stored at their level on the floor or lower on the wall.

Small Appliances - Honesty is the Best Policy

How many do you have?

Drag out all your small appliances from the top pantry shelf, in the back of the cabinets, the garage, and don't forget the Dust Buster in the coat closet. Take a good look at all these gadgets and get honest with yourself about how many Panini you have made lately. Do you use the popcorn maker or do you put a bag in the microwave? Are you supplying your entire neighborhood with fresh loaves of sour dough made by your bread machine? I doubt it.

You may make an exception for the waffle iron which is used traditionally each Christmas morning, but get real with yourself about all these apparatuses, especially if they are being stored on your kitchen counter. We all go through a stage of bread making or juicing or even the nonsensical indoor grilling, however wouldn't you rather grill outside? Let someone else have their love affair with juicing, the someone that buys your juicer at your yard sale.

After you have decided which small appliances to keep, wipe the greasy film or dust off each and store them together in an accessible location, such as the top shelf of the pantry. If you store small appliances in a place where you never see them, you will never use them, so you might as well get rid of them. However, resist the urge to keep them on your counter. Except for the coffee maker or maybe the toaster, small appliances that don't get used everyday should be stored.

Leaving small appliances plugged in at all times is also a bad idea. They continue to use most of the electricity which it takes to operate them even when switched off if they remain plugged in.

Some charities, such as Goodwill, take small appliances. If your small appliance is not working properly, do not give it to charity. Unfortunately, finding a source to repair a small appliance is becoming near impossible and repairing a toaster, if you could find a place to take it, would most likely cost more than the toaster. Check with your city or county refuse collection department to find out the best way to dispose of broken appliances or electronics.

Replace, Don't Accumulate!

What's in your sock/underwear drawers?

Reclaim space in your sock and panty drawer!

Get in the habit of replacing instead of accumulating.

When you get new t-shirts, socks, underwear, pajamas, or any other piece of clothing, move the old ones out. Challenge yourself to go deeper. If you buy a pack of 6 socks, throw away 7 old pairs. It will be cathartic. 

Remember not to give anything to charity that you wouldn't give to a friend or family member. Please, throw away your socks with holes and any other unmentionables. Nobody really wants second hand intimate appareal.

Spring Cleaning is for Workspaces Too!

What does your desk look like?

Start at the top, whether office, cube or nook. Remove any paper or decor that is no longer timely or necessary. Check for spider webs and dust bunnies and brush those away. Remove items and paper from shelves, desk, or cabinet one surface at a time so as not to overwhelm the space or your employer. Go through paper and recycle as you clean off each surface. 

Wipe each surface and item before returning things to their proper place. Disinfecting wipes are great for this purpose and a handy thing to keep in a desk drawer just in case of a future coffee spill or lunch mishap and to regularly disinfect your phone and computer keyboard. 

Look through drawers and and discard things that do not belong, such as ketchup packs or dried up ink pens. When you have freshened to your satisfaction, don't forget to empty the trash and use a disinfecting wipe to clean the garbage can before putting in a new liner.

Home offices are all sizes!

Too Many Masterpieces - Sorting Children's Art Work

File Drawer for Art Work 

Reclaim space on your refrigerator and bulletin boards. Children love to draw and never want to throw their masterpieces away. Consider purchasing a file drawer that accommodates one drawer for each of your children. As art work comes home from school or is completed at home, place it in the child's drawer. 

When the drawer is full, empty the contents on your kitchen table and set aside 15 minutes for your child to choose their favorites. Place the favorites back in the drawer and recycle the rest. I have 2 children so the bottom drawer is filled scrap paper, notebook paper and activity/drawing books.

Where Should I Put Graded School Papers?

Graded work in a shoe box

Want to reclaim space in your child's backpack or on your kitchen counter?


Finish checking over graded school work and give it to your child to file in a shoe box under your child's bed. When the 6/9 week grading period ends, recycle the contents of the box. There is no need to keep graded paperwork after the grading period is complete. This box of graded work can be a lifesaver if your child is missing a grade at the end of the grading period! And, this creates a good habit that can continue throughout years of schooling.


Added bonus! Children can personalize and decorate the shoe box.

Olivia's decorated box

It's not that Nasty! Someone can use it? Right?

Take it to the Dump!

If something in your home is nasty, throw it away! Items that are dirty, stained, torn, or broken should not be given to charity. If you wouldn't feel comfortable giving something to a friend or family member, don't give it to a charity either. Throw it away! Furthermore, if you wouldn't feel comfortable with a friend or family member, using something in your home, for instance, sleeping on your ratty sheets, throw them away. If you wouldn't want your doctor to see your toilet seat because it is so stained, replace it, and please, throw the old one away. If the garbage can in your home office is the one you had in your college dorm room and it has decade old chewing gum stuck in the bottom of it, throw it away.

Go through your home with fresh eyes and see what is nasty. If you can't face it, call a trusted, no nonsense friend and let them speak freely about what is nasty in your home. Make a list as you go through your house or follow your friend through you house. Before you go to Target, or Ikea, or Walmart or some other big box store to replace every little nasty thing you threw away, stop and think. Do you really need a trash can in every room? 

Don't replace your nasty electric can opener with a new one. Buy a manual can opener that can be stored in a kitchen drawer, and put in the dishwasher. Swing-away and OXO brands make very good manual can openers.

Really scrutinize what you need to replace. Ask yourself some questions: 

How often is this item used? 

Does this item have a functional place to be stored? 

Can I live without one of these? 

Obviously, the toilet needs a seat, but does the seat need a new fuzzy cover on the lid? NO!

Storing Warranties, Manuals and Spare Parts

Pile of Warranty Info

Reclaim space in your junk drawers! Rarely is there a need to keep spare parts. If you install a ceiling fan in your home for instance, and parts are left such as a lowering rod or metal plate that covers the spot where the light kit was installed, should you keep those parts? 

Consider that the ceiling height will not change in the room where you installed the fan therefore you will not need the lowering rod and if you installed a light, even if a cover is broken you will most likely replace it or get another light kit.

If you must keep parts after an installation, then put them in an appropriately sized ziploc bag which you have labeled with the name of the item they came from, the room where it is located, and the date.

When you assemble something, if there is an abundance of left over parts, perhaps rereading (or reading for the first time) the directions is a good idea in case you missed a step. Some things do come with extras or accessories or batteries. Store these parts with the manual and/or warranty information together in a large ziploc bag.

Warranties and parts for most everything in your home should have one convenient, accessible location. A cabinet or plastic tub with a lid that can contain all your ziploc bags of parts, manuals and warranties is a great idea. When you buy something, staple the receipt to the warranty or manual and put it with the others. If you get a new thing to replace an old thing, remember to remove the manual for the old thing. The next owner of the old thing, whether you give it to charity or sell it on Craig's list, etc., will be very happy to have it.

You can further categorize warranties and manuals by putting them in pockets or sleeves in a three ring binder. This works especially well for kitchen appliances, both large and small. The next time you need to clean the oven or choose which blade to use to slice potatoes with the food processor, this information can be at your finger tips.

Remove Two Forms of Clutter at Once!

Shopping Bag Clutter

Paper shopping bags are wonderful when reused to purge items to give to charity. 

Larger bags hold games and puzzles, purses, hats or shoes. Toys with accessories can be placed in smaller bags. Small bags are perfect for kitchen gadgets or office supplies. 

Using a shopping bag is more convenient than a box because it has handles. Resist the urge to overfill so the bag won't be too heavy or tear. Several shopping bags fit more easily in a vehicle than several boxes. 

If you have a particular item to give to someone, write their name or the name of the location the item needs to go on the bag. Place the item in the bag and immediately put the bag in the front passenger seat of your vehicle ensuring you will drop it off instead of leaving it in a closet somewhere in your home. Using your accumulated paper shopping bags to give things away removes two forms of clutter from your home at once.

Cleaning Out a Closet

Messy Closet?

Cleaning out your closet can be a daunting task. Breaking it down into a few steps can make it less overwhelming. Try the following method seasonally.

Start by separating your closet into two sections. Hang warm weather clothes in one area and cool weather clothes in the other. The next step is odd but really tells the tale. Turn all the hangers around backwards on the rod. Each time you wear something turn the hanger back. At the end of thirty days you will know what you are truly wearing at least for that season.

Take a hard look at what is left on the backwards hangers for the current season. Consider taking what you are not wearing to a consignment shop or donating some items to charity. Consignment shops will want recent styles, in very good condition on hangers. Charities typically do not require hangers or even prefer hangers. Call to check before you toss everything in a bag.

The rule of thumb for donating is if you wouldn't give something to a friend or family member because of its condition, then don't give it to a charity either. Clothing that is stained, torn, or even missing a button will be thrown away. Charities have to pay employees or use volunteers' time to inspect items and then end up throwing a good many of them in the dumpster because of their condition. Charities also have to pay disposal fees for every dumpster they fill. The less a charity has to spend on its operating cost, the more resources it has to fulfill its mission.

After you have eliminated what you are not wearing you can begin to categorize your clothes for that season in a way that works for you. Some people prefer to keep all shirts together, pants, jackets, etc. For women and particularly children, sometimes hanging outfits together is more convenient. You may decide to make an adjustment to your closet system. What matters is determining what you wear most because generally it is what you wear most that looks best, feels comfortable and determines your personal style.

Too many Totes?

Too many totes on your shelf?

Storing totes a problem? Maybe you have too many? Designate a space for totes and do NOT let them overflow! 
Store grocery totes in the car.  
If you come home from a conference with a new tote, don't jam it in your closet! Want to keep the new one? Discard an older one. 
Take the one you wish to discard and place it in your closet. Place items to take to Goodwill or a charity in the discarded tote. Once full, donate the contents and the TOTE to the charity!

Yard Sale Preparation - Tried and True Method

Price and Place in Box

The hardest part of a yard sale is the preparation. Procrastinating makes it so much worse and ensures you will be exhausted when you raise the garage door bright and early Saturday morning. To avoid "sale set-up" hangover try the following tried and true method.

Well in advance of the sale (maybe 2 months) place a medium size box in a prominent location in every room in your house. Put the box by the door.

Place a couple of sheets of pre-priced yard sale stickers in each box along with a Sharpie or marker. If you are not familiar with yard sale stickers you can find them at any "big box" store. They are a must because they take the thinking out of pricing your items.

As you go about life in your home leading up to the time of your sale, recognize items you are not using or have lost interest in. Each time you see one of these items, go to the box, choose a price sticker, price the item and leave it in the box. Really try to purge, but don't get stressed about it because you will have a chance to take items out of the box before the actual sale. Hopefully by then you will be fine with letting it go.

When a box gets full, close it, label its contents and take it to a designated place in the garage. Be sure to put another empty box in the room! By sale time you will have a trove of already priced items that you can simply spread out on tables. Typically they will be categorized already because each box will represent an area of your home. For example the kitchen box will be kitchen items.

If you don't want the hassle of having a sale, skip the stickers. Instead, use this method and give each of the boxes to charity when you are satisfied that you have removed enough from each room. This strategy is also great for editing your decor or de-cluttering in anticipation of listing your house for sale.

Woodwork - Paint vs. Cleaning

Tray catches drips!

Think it's time to repaint the woodwork; think again!

Painting the wood work in your home is much more time consuming and much more costly, if you hire someone to do it, than painting a room. As a first option, consider cleaning all baseboards, doors and door frames, and cabinetry, before you decide to paint.

Gather the right tools for the job:
Small (6 quart) bucket
Mild water based detergent
Micro fiber cloths
Mr. Clean Eraser sponges
Terry cloth hand towel
Rubber gloves with a drip proof cuff
A large plastic tray or rimmed baking sheet
Blue masking tape
Vacuum with attachment

Mix a small amount, generally less than the recommended amount of detergent,
with very warm water in the bucket. You should empty your bucket frequently
so only fill it half way and try to keep detergent minimal, maybe only a
teaspoon full. Put all your supplies on the tray along with the bucket.
The tray keeps all your supplies together, is easily scooted around on the
floor, and most importantly, catches drips and keeps them off your carpet or
other flooring.

Put your rubber gloves on and think systematically. Begin in the corner of
your home, top or bottom level, and work your way around that room first,
baseboards, door frames, and doors, before moving to the hall or next room.
You may want to vacuum around the tops of the baseboard with a brush tool
and or the area where the baseboards meet your flooring with a crevice tool
before wiping. Use a micro fiber cloth that you have wet and squeezed out
in your bucket. Microfiber cloths don't leave streaks or excess water that
a sponge or terry cloth might. Start at the top of door frames and doors
and work your way down to prevent drips.

Use the Mr. Clean eraser sponge for heavily soiled areas such as around the
door knob or for scuff marks at the base of the door. Wet it completely
under running water in the sink, not your bucket as it contains its own
detergent. Squeeze it completely and then put it on your tray. Rub gently
and repeatedly any marks on the door or baseboards. If you rub too hard you
may discolor or remove paint. Avoid using the eraser sponge for the entire
door. They are expensive and deteriorate as you use them. A mild detergent
in water and your elbow grease with the microfiber cloth should do the
trick. Remember to wipe off the residue of the Mr. Clean eraser using your
microfiber cloth.

Nasty Garage Baseboard

As you are cleaning, if you notice chips or scratches in the paint that cleaning won't take care of, dry the area with you terry hand towel and put a small piece of blue masking take by the area. If at the end of your cleaning you have a sea of blue tape, painting the wood work may be the way to go, but at least you have a clean surface on which to work. If blue tape is minimal consider touching up chips in the paint.


Unfortunately if your left over trim paint is over a year old or has been stored improperly it will probably be unusable. It is fine to test the paint after shaking it thoroughly in an inconspicuous area. Let it dry completely (like 12 hours) before making a decision. Your best bet might be to take the old paint to the manufactures paint store and let them use the color code to mix you a quart of fresh paint. If they are nice and so are you they might properly dispose of your old paint for you.

When touching up paint on wood work use a small craft brush or maybe two; one brush could be less than an inch wide and flat, the other might be truly small, for filling in a tiny chip in the wood. Avoid using sponge brushes for this kind of project. Use a light hand and a tiny amount of paint. Usually just dipping your brush in the paint thats on the lid of your quart of paint will suffice. The idea is to fill in the chip only, not to start painting the door. Most likely, new or left over paint will not match exactly, so try to keep the touch up as minimal as possible.

Again, work systematically around each room, removing the blue tape as you touch up each
spot so if the phone rings you will know exactly where you left off when you were interrupted. Hopefully, a fresh cleaning will yield the result you are looking for in your trim. If you do have to do some painting keep in mind these tips:

Latex paint cannot be used over oil based paint without the wood work being
first sanded and primed. Your paint store or professional painter can
instruct you as to how to know if you have oil based paint on your wood
work. Chances are if your house is less than 20 years old you have nothing
but latex, however it never hurts to check. Cabinets that are finished or
painted bookcases are often finished more durably and may need to be sanded
and primed before painting.

If you home is very old or considered historic, consult a professional
before you paint. Older paint may contain lead which can be extremely
harmful to you, your family and pets if sanded or removed improperly. It
may not be in the paint on the surface of your wood work but could be in
subsequent layers underneath. Read up on lead paint on the internet. The
Environmental Protection Agency provides brochures to paint stores
concerning lead paint that you can pick up, just ask.

Do not dispose of old paint by pouring it down a sink, in a storm drain or on to the ground. In many cases water based or latex paints can be opened and filled with kitty litter and left open until the kitty litter has absorbed all the paint and completely dried and then you can pour out the "crumbs" in the trash and throw the can away. This is not safe with oil based paints. Check with your local waste management system for the proper disposal recommendation.




Place Paint on Tray to Scoot